<table class="brder" width="640" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1"><tbody><tr bgcolor="#ab0303"><td colspan="2" valign="top" align="left"><div align="center"><img src="http://robot.cmpe.boun.edu.tr/%7Erobocup/newsletterimages/headerimage.gif" width="640"></div>
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<td class="brder" valign="middle" width="318" align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><span class="text3">RoboCup 2011 Newsletter</span></td>
<td class="brder" valign="middle" width="225" align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><span class="text3">February 1, 2011 / Issue #3</span></td>
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<td class="brder" valign="top" align="left" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><span class="text1"><span class="text5"><strong></strong><p class="text3"><strong><a name="mainarticle"></a></strong><strong class="text3">Greetings from Istanbul!</strong> <br>
</p><p class="text5"><span class="text1"><span class="text2">Only 153 days left for RoboCup 2011!</span></span></p>
<p class="text5"><span class="text1">RoboCup 2011 will be in
Istanbul which as the only city that resides on two continents is the
ideal place for such an event.
We welcome everybody to share the enthusiasm of advanced
intelligent robotics research in a beautiful city with many cultures and
has been the capital of many civilizations.</span></p><br>
</span></span></td>
<td class="brder" valign="top" align="left" bgcolor="#e0e0f8"><span class="text1"><span class="text5"><strong></strong><p class="text3"><strong><a name="thisissue"></a></strong><strong class="text3">In this issue:</strong> <br>
<br>
• <a href="http://robot.cmpe.boun.edu.tr/%7Etmericli/robocup/newsletter.html#mainarticle" class="text6">Greetings from Istanbul!</a><br>
• <a href="http://robot.cmpe.boun.edu.tr/%7Etmericli/robocup/newsletter.html#datechange" class="text6"><span class="text3">RoboCup 2011 Registration Timeline</span></a><br>
• <a href="http://robot.cmpe.boun.edu.tr/%7Etmericli/robocup/newsletter.html#accommodation" class="text6"><span class="text3">Accommodation</span></a><br>
• <a href="http://robot.cmpe.boun.edu.tr/%7Etmericli/robocup/newsletter.html#eventvenue" class="text6">Event Venue</a><br>
• <a href="http://robot.cmpe.boun.edu.tr/%7Etmericli/robocup/newsletter.html#aboutistanbul" class="text6">About Istanbul</a><br>
• <a href="http://robot.cmpe.boun.edu.tr/%7Etmericli/robocup/newsletter.html#shipping" class="text6">Shipping Robots and Equipment</a><br>
• <a href="http://robot.cmpe.boun.edu.tr/%7Etmericli/robocup/newsletter.html#visa" class="text6"><span class="text3">Visa Requirements</span></a><br>
• <a href="http://robot.cmpe.boun.edu.tr/%7Etmericli/robocup/newsletter.html#contact" class="text6">Contact Details</a></p>
</span></span></td>
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<td class="brder" valign="top" align="left" bgcolor="#e0e0f8"><span class="text1"><span class="text5"><strong></strong><p class="text3"><strong><a name="datechange"></a></strong><strong class="text3">RoboCup 2011 Registration Timeline</strong> <br>
</p></span>
<p class="text5">
<b>Soccer, Rescue, @Home, & Demonstrations</b>
</p><table cellspacing="12">
<tbody><tr>
<td>Team pre-registration deadline<sup>†</sup></td>
<td>February 28, 2011</td>
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<td>Team qualification deadline</td>
<td>March 31, 2011</td>
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<td>Early registration</td>
<td>March 18 - May 13, 2011</td>
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<td>Regular registration<sup>‡</sup></td>
<td>May 14 - June 17, 2011</td>
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<td>Late registration</td>
<td>June 18 - RoboCup 2011</td>
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<td>Team setup</td>
<td>July 5 - 6, 2011</td>
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<td>Competitions</td>
<td>July 7 - 10, 2011</td>
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</tbody></table>
<br>
<b>Junior</b>
<table cellspacing="12">
<tbody><tr>
<td>Submission of placeholder<br>applications by regional reps</td>
<td>February 10 - 27, 2011</td>
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<td>Release of team allocations<br>(quota for each country/region)</td>
<td>March 10, 2011</td>
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<td>Pre-registration by regional<br>reps</td>
<td>March 15 - May 15, 2011</td>
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<td>Registration<sup>‡</sup></td>
<td>March 18 - June 17, 2011</td>
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<td>Late registration</td>
<td>June 18 - RoboCup 2011</td>
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<td>Team setup</td>
<td>July 06, 2011</td>
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<td>Competitions</td>
<td>July 7 - 10, 2011</td>
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</tbody></table>
<br>
<b>Symposium</b>
<table cellspacing="12">
<tbody><tr>
<td>Submission of full papers</td>
<td>February 27, 2011</td>
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<td>Notification of authors</td>
<td>April 10, 2011</td>
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<td>Submission of camera-ready<br>copies</td>
<td>May 8, 2011</td>
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<td>RoboCup 2011 Symposium</td>
<td>July 11, 2011</td>
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</tbody></table>
<br>
<sup>†</sup> Note#1: Pre-registration deadlines for some leagues may vary.<br>
<sup>‡</sup> Note#2: No team registration accepted after June 17
</span></td>
<td class="brder" valign="top" align="left" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><span class="text1"><span class="text5"><strong></strong><p class="text3"><strong><a name="accommodation"></a></strong><strong class="text3">Accommodation</strong> <br>
</p></span></span>
<p class="text5">
We are pleased to announce that we could negotiate <span class="text2">special accommodation rates</span> for Junior participants, for whom we know that affordable solutions are crucial.
We are also offering <span class="text2">special reduced rates</span> for Senior participants at various hotels in close vicinity (5 to 20 minutes distance) of the competition venue.
Please find detailed information about those hotels <a href="http://robot.cmpe.boun.edu.tr/%7Erobocup/info/accommodation_information_01.02.2011" target="_blank"><span class="text2">here</span></a>. The listed rates include VAT, service charge, and breakfast.
</p>
<p class="text5">
As Istanbul is a popular touristic destination experiencing high
demand especially in summer, we strongly recommend early booking of
hotel accommodation.
With early booking, RoboCup 2011 participants will be able to
benefit from the special rates as well.
</p>
<p class="text5">
Istanbul experiences heavy traffic, especially during working days.
Therefore, we recommend RoboCup 2011 participants to give preference to
the accommodation facilities proposed by the local organizers, from
where shuttle services will be available.
Please visit our <a href="http://www.robocup2011.org/" target="_blank"><span class="text2">website</span></a> for detailed information about shuttle services and the hotels.
</p>
<p class="text5">Please contact our Organizing Secretariat at <span class="text2"><a href="mailto:accommodation@robocup2011.org">accommodation@robocup2011.org</a></span> for further information about accommodation.</p>
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<td class="brder" valign="top" align="left" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><span class="text1"><span class="text5"><strong></strong><p class="text3"><strong><a name="eventvenue"></a></strong><strong class="text3">Event Venue</strong> <br>
</p></span><span class="text5"><b>Competition</b><br><br>RoboCup 2011 will be held at the <b>Istanbul Expo Center</b>. Conveniently placed in a great location,
the Istanbul Expo Center is an excellent podium for conducting numerous prestigious events.
<a href="http://www.robocup2011.org/en/content.asp?PID=%7B707167DF-C58B-4926-9474-F898979926CB%7D&PageFn=Venue" target="_blank" class="text2">More...</a></span><br>
<br>
</span><span class="text5"><b>Symposium</b><br><br>RoboCup 2011 Symposium will be held at the <b>Garanti Cultural Center</b>
within one of the campuses of Boğaziçi University.
The building has 5 halls of various capacities; the main hall has a
capacity of 480 people, and 4 smaller halls have capacities of 110, 60,
50, and 30 people. The aerial view of
the building can be checked on <a href="http://wikimapia.org/#lat=41.0861523&lon=29.0392578&z=19&l=36&m=b" target="_blank"><span class="text2">this map</span></a></span><br>
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<td class="brder" valign="top" align="left" bgcolor="#e0e0f8"><span class="text1"><span class="text5"><strong></strong><p class="text3"><strong><a name="aboutistanbul"></a></strong><strong class="text3">About Istanbul - Let's Meet Where the Continents Meet!</strong> <br>
</p></span>
<span class="text1"><span class="text3"></span>
</span>With its history dating back to 658 B.C., <span class="text3">Istanbul </span>has
enjoyed an
uninterrupted existence forming the cross-roads of creative
exchange between Europe and Asia. This spectacular city with its diverse
identities has given rise to many legends and inspired countless
works of art.
<p><span class="text3">Two Empires - Two Capitals: </span><br><br>
<span class="text5">Istanbul has been the capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires,
leaving behind a multicultural sediment of civilizations and faiths in
the form of aqueducts, cisterns, palaces, churches, synagogues, mosques
and above all, cultural tolerance and harmony.</span> </p>
<p><span class="text3">Modern Touristic Establishments and Conference Facilities: </span><br><br>
<span class="text5">Istanbul today is the focal point of industry, commerce and cultural
life in Turkey. It has many internationally acclaimed hotels, congress
centres and offers state-of-the-art meeting facilities. The city is
connected to the world by two international airports, international
harbours, railways and theTrans-European-Motorway.</span> </p>
<p><span class="text3">Shopping and Entertainment: </span><br><br>
<span class="text5">Being one of the cheapest cities of Europe, it is a shopping
paradise. Ranging from the oriental style of the Grand Bazaar to
outstanding shopping malls, Istanbul offers a wide variety of choices.</span> </p>
<p><span class="text5">The Bosphorus is not merely a strait dividing two continents.
It also a crown that adds a Mediterranean flavour to this breathtaking
city with its seaside cafes and fish restaurants. Istanbul also offers
a vibrant night-life.</span> </p>
<p><span class="text3">July in Istanbul: </span><br><br>
<span class="text5">July is one of the best seasons in Istanbul with warm temperatures of
approximately 25 - 28 degrees Celsius during the day.</span></p>
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<td class="brder" valign="top" align="left" bgcolor="#e0e0f8"><span class="text1"><span class="text5"><strong></strong><p class="text3"><strong><a name="shipping"></a></strong><strong class="text3">Shipping Robots and Equipment</strong> <br>
</p></span></span><span class="text5">In order to preclude the possible delays and customs issues, please check <a href="http://www.robocup2011.org/en/content.asp?PID=%7B2A21F536-3E67-4958-8E63-8A354845BACD%7D&PageFn=Cargo%20Shippinga" target="_blank" class="text2">here</a> for detailed information about shipment rules custom procedure of Turkey.</span> <br>
<br>
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<td class="brder" valign="top" align="left" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><span class="text1"><span class="text5"><strong></strong><p class="text3"><strong><a name="visa"></a></strong><strong class="text3">Visa Requirements</strong>
</p></span>
Most countries do not require visa to enter Turkey. However, visa can
be issued at the border gates if needed. Please check the website of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey for your visa status:
<a href="http://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa" target="_blank" class="text2"> http://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa</a>
<p>You can also check the full list of countries with their corresponding visa categories <a href="http://www.robocup2011.org/files/downloads/visa%20applications%20of%20rupublic%20of%20turkey.xls" target="_blank"><span class="text2">here</span></a>.
</p>
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<td colspan="2" valign="top" align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><span class="text1"><strong><a name="contact"></a></strong><span class="text3">Contact Details</span><br>
<br>
</span><span class="text2">Please contact the RoboCup 2011 Office for enquiries at:<br>
Tel: +90 (212) 347 63 00<br>
Fax: +90 (212) 347 63 63<br>
E-mail: <a href="mailto:info@robocup2011.org">info@robocup2011.org</a><br>
Website: <a href="http://www.robocup2011.org/" target="_blank" class="text2">www.robocup2011.org</a></span><span class="text1"><br>
<br>
</span>
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<td colspan="2"><span class="text6">Copyright © RoboCup 2011</span></td>
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</tr></tbody></table><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>===================================================================<br>H.Levent Akin [] To acquire knowledge and<br>Dean [] communicate it to others<br>
Faculty of Engineering [] has been the ambition,<br>Bogazici University [] pleasure, and business of<br>34342 Bebek-Istanbul [] my life.<br>TURKEY [] -William Harvey<br>
[]<br>Phone: +90 (212) 359 6401 []<br>Fax: +90 (212) 265 8488 []<br><a href="mailto:E-Mail%3Aakin@boun.edu.tr">E-Mail:akin@boun.edu.tr</a> []<br>
URL:<a href="http://www.cmpe.boun.edu.tr/~akin">http://www.cmpe.boun.edu.tr/~akin</a> []<br>